Redstart Red"start` (-st?rt`), n. [Red + start tail.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) A small, handsomeEuropeansinging bird ({Phoenicurus
phoenicurus}, formerly {Ruticilla phoenicurus}),
allied to the nightingale; -- called also {redtail},
{brantail}, {fireflirt}, {firetail}. The black
redstart is {Phoenicurus ochruros} (formerly
{Phoenicurus tithys}), and is now rare and protected
by law in England. The name is also applied to several
other species of {Ruticilla} and allied genera, native
of India.
(b) An Americanfly-catching warbler ({Setophaga
ruticilla}). The male is black, with large patches of
orange-red on the sides, wings, and tail. The female
is olive, with yellow patches.
[1913 Webster +PJC]